Absorbing center for disposable diapers, process and machine to make them

ABSTRACT

Improvement in absorbing center for disposable diapers, process and machine for its manufacturing, of the type made by cellulose flakes ( 11 ) adequately compacted forming a coverlet that, in its turn, presents an upper and a lower part with one or more capping ( 4 - 6 ) or still, with no capping, but, independently from such aspects, such center presents a plurality of absorbing gel grains ( 16 ) concentrated in distinct points ( 30 ) strategically distributed throughout the flake coverlet ( 11 ), where each point keeps a certain distance from the adjacent points, just as each point concentrates a certain number of grains, such number disposed in the medium part of the thickness (E) of the cellulose flake layer ( 11 ), where each absorbing gel point ( 16 ) is compacted at least on the upper side of the center ( 2 ), forming a cavity ( 31 ), being yet another characteristic of the present improvement the fact that such capping ( 4 ), upper and lower, presents the internal surfaces with a thing layer of absorbing gel grains ( 16 ), which are previously applied onto such internal surfaces using a sticking component or any glue, so that they may remain against the upper and lower surfaces of the flake coverlet ( 11 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Particularly, the present Invention refers to technical and functionalimprovements specially devised for the characterization of significantchanges in the absorbing center of several disposable diapers, whetherfor children or adults, where the invention consists basically infinding means for the optimization concerning the allocation of the socalled absorbing gel grains in more appropriate places and in a betterway, with better conformation and confining them so as to increase theirperformance in the absorption of liquids, providing less contact betweenthe humidity and the body of the user, avoiding this gel, whose textureis rather grainy, sandy-like and extremely itchy, from escaping, andtherefore avoiding the leakage of those liquids, and reducingsignificantly the amount of absorbing gel grains applied, besides othercomplementary advantages.

SITUATION OF THE TECHNIQUE

Presently there are different disposable diapers for children andadults, but all of them have one predominant part which is really prettysimilar called the absorbing center composed of cellulose pulp fibers,which receives a chemical compost or polymer generically calledabsorbing gel, which are grains of a chemical product of silicon orother basis, with the ability to absorb many times its size orgranulation, being even able to receive other components in this center.

The conventional centers, as it was mentioned before, are conformedbased on cellulose pulp fibers and, therefore, such material, in itsindustrialization process, is de-fibered to present an appearance offlakes so that it can be mechanically mixed with the absorbing gelgrains. This mixture, though homogenous, is made at random indisproportional quantities of each component.

There is no doubt that the center obtained in accordance with thesituation of the present technique defines the necessary means for theensemble to turn into an efficient unit when it comes to absorbingliquids; however, some inconveniences can be found during its use, themost important of which is the fact that there is no interaction of theencapsulation (confining) among the grains of absorbing gel and thefibers or cellulose pulp flakes, for such components are only mixed,and, consequently, there is not the “claw” effect between the twocomponents, creating other inconveniences with that not only in theindustrialization process, but also in the final usage of the center inthe diaper, i.e., the diaper assembling process requires the use ofmachines with too many rotational and movable parts, where vibrationsare highly common and, consequently, maintaining the grains stablemaking it difficult to control them, which, at the end of the process,results in the presence of such grains in unwanted places, not only inthe diaper itself, but also in the working area and in the machine.

On the other hand, the most significant disadvantage takes place withthe ready product, for some grains usually do not stay imprisoned in thecenter and, in such condition, may get in touch with the skin of theuser causing itching and discomfort.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to define a strategic wayto place and distribute the absorbing gel grains in the coverlet formedby the flakes and cellulose pulp fibers.

It is also an objective of the invention that such distribution be madein smaller quantities, but in better positions and in a different wayfrom the one that is presently adopted.

The result of this proceeding is an absorbing center with better andfaster absorbing ability, once the absorbing gel grains are positionedonly in the places where they are mostly needed.

This way, the user, child or adult, will have less contact with thehumidity of the urine and, therefore, will suffer less unpleasanteffects or damages to his/her health.

With the current improvement, another important advantage is achievedbecause the strategic placement of the grains results in theoptimization of their stability and, along the way, the absorbing centerobtained allows the grains to be maintained attached or practicallyencapsulated by the cellulose pulp fiber flakes. This way, in theprocessing phase as well as in the ready product, the absorbing centeravoids or reduces the possibility of such gel grains escaping, providingsuperior efficiency compared to conventional centers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present Invention, a detaileddescription is made as follows, making reference to the attacheddrawings, where:

PICTURE 1 represents a view in schematic perspective pointing out thevarious layers present in a conventional diaper, showed only forfigurative purposes;

PICTURE 2 shows a schematic view of a machine used for the manufacturingof diapers in general;

PICTURES 3, 4 and 5 respectively, portray an upper view and two detailsin amplified sections of an improved absorbing center according to thepresent invention; and

PICTURES 6 to 9 show several amplified views of segments of the machinein focus and that are directly related with the improvement at hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to these illustrations and in its details, particularlypicture 1, the present improvement applies to different diapers used bychildren and adults, such as that generically illustrated in picture 1,where it can be seen that it is composed of several basic parts,starting with a layer or external plastic film made of polyethylene (1)or other types of impermeable, isolated, or composed subs tracts, whoseoutline is tailored according to a specific shape, just as over itssurface, an absorbing center (2) is stretched having been clearlyobtained from a compost of cellulose pulp fiber, forming a kind ofrectangular coverlet, and also receiving another component obtained froma chemical compost or polymer, traditionally called absorbing gel (3),which is basically grains of a chemical product of a silicon or otherbasis, with the ability to absorb many times its dimension orgranulation, such as, for instance, fifty times its volume, still beingable to receive in such center some other components.

As it was already said, the mixture of cellulose pulp fibers andabsorbing gel form an absorbing center (2) that, in its turn, is stillnormally covered, in its lower part, by layers of thin paper such astracing paper (4), also made of agglutinated cellulose, called“tissue”-type paper, which are is similar or resembling the traditionaltoilet paper.

In the external lower part of the diapers, which get in contact with thehuman body, there is a component called “tissue non-tissue” (TNT) or“non-woven” (5), which is a weave of threads of plastic chemicalproducts, such as polypropylene or other materials, impermeable and withperforations which allow or promote the infiltration and passage of theliquids expelled by the users, for a further absorption in the lowerlayers. It is fundamental that this first layer of weave (TNT) (5)remains the driest the possible, under the best possibilities, so thatit won't disturb or cause harm to the user, just as under this externallayer (5) the diapers may receive a new film made of the same material“non-tissue” (TNT) or “non-woven” (6), called transferring layer orsimply “transfer-layer”. This layer is meant to separate and improve theisolation between the lower external part of the diaper, which should bedrier, and the internal part of it, where there is a concentration ofthe liquids, and which stay damp or wet when used. This isolationfunction prevents the urine from getting in touch with the body causingitching, skin rashes or other unpleasant consequences.

The diapers can also come with special components to avoid a migrationof feces or urine from the internal parts of the diaper to the outsideand are called fecal barrier or “leg cuff”. These barriers are normallyconstituted of “non-tissue” or “non-woven” compost already mentionedwith elastic bands for a better adjustment to the human body and itsunion or attachment to the body or structure of the diaper and to avoidthe harms caused by occasional leakages.

The body or structure of the diaper also comes with longitudinal elasticbands (7) to promote a better adjustment or better molding along thehuman body in two of its internal sides, but that are irrelevant for thepresent improvement. Just as irrelevant, most diapers have a sticker orsticking tape attached to their frontal part, many times colored anddecorated (usually called frontal stripes or frontal “tape”) and stilltwo lateral stickers or sticking tapes to fasten the parts to each otherso that they stay fastened, stuck, or attached to each other and firmlyplaced along the body.

The forming elements of the diapers mentioned above, such as theplastics, the non-tissues; the transferring layers; the absorbingconstruction papers; the fecal barriers and other components, arenormally and usually attached to each other by stickers or glue (8).Normally stickers called hot-glue or “hot-melt” are used for thispurpose. These stickers are polymers or composts that are solid undernormal temperature, but that melt once heated, changing its viscosityand physical-chemical aspects and then used in this state. Among itsmain characteristics, we can point out the facility to be applied, theimmediate or instantaneous result of the gluing, and the strongattachment between the parts. Most of the times, the hot glue that isused has the permanent attachment property, i.e., it remainscontinuously adhered to touch and independently from other factors,mainly moist. This glue is also called “permanent sticking”, permanentattachment, self-sticking, “pressure-sensitive”, among other names.

The automated production of diapers in high speed requires specificequipment, such as that illustrated in picture 2, already largely spreadworldwide and generally having basic parts, starting from a mill orde-fiberer (9), which can be made of a disentangling piece or hammer orother methods, which transforms the cellulose pulp (10), prepared inrolls or leaves, particularly in small texture or fibers, herein calledflakes (11).

The cellulose pulp is normally supplied in bobbins of variable width andother proportions, long or short fibers with different levels ofhumidity, besides other irrelevant factors.

The de-fiberer (9) is connected though a feeding duct system (12) toanother set called agglomerating or agglutinating piece (13), which, inits turn, is also connected to an upper tray (14) and its respectiveregulator (15) so that in the internal part of the agglomerating piece(13) a continuous flux of absorbing gel grains (16) may be introducedalong with the flakes (11) and, in the internal part of the so calledagglutinating piece (13) such components are mixed in a disperse wayand, at the same time, the agglomeration of the cellulose pulp alreadyde-fibered or in flakes (11) also takes place.

The de-fiberer (9) generally consists of a closed cabinet sometimes withtransparent covers (so that one can observe the performance of thiscellulose pulp), with a lower vacuum chamber (17) mounted over a screen(18) usually made of plastic and placed as a conveyor belt and where thefibers gather or agglomerate and are transported to the followingphases. Sometimes this chamber has a rotating device (19) with metaledge or edges to make room in the pulps that are formed for a betterpenetration of the absorbing gel (16) and concentration of the pulp.Almost at the exit of this chamber and over the conveyor belt (18) thereis a compressor (roll) (20) of proportional dimensions to its normalityand use, normally made of metal, which is supposed to partially compactthe cellulose fibers and start the conformation process, practicallytransforming it in the absorbing center (2) for its final use as anabsorbing coverlet and also to allow its passage through the exitopening of such chamber.

Depending on the equipment, it is possible to use two or morede-fibering mills (9) to produce and allocate the cellulose pulpcoverlets in layers and trying, by doing so, to let the absorbing gellay among these layers.

Among other models of coverlet formers or absorbing coverletagglutinating piece for the production of diapers, there is alsorotating former (which is complemented or is a variation of the sameprocess), with several molds imprinted on it, with the desired coverletshapes and on it allocated throughout its length also with a vacuumsystem with screen to suck retain, transport and dispense the cellulosepulp, shaping it in the desired, defined and specified conformations ineach of these molds allocated in this rotating former, but that is notconfigured under the inventive circumstances of the present improvement,for it takes place after the distributing operation of the absorbing gelgrains in the forming of the coverlet.

The tray (14) for stocking up and gel grains feeding to the system mayradically vary in its dimensions and in other constructive details,mainly on what refers to the regulator (15) which can be one of mugs,openings over rotational metals, strangling of the piping, severalvalves, among others. Normally and mostly, the gel grains dosed arecompletely dispersed over the cellulose fibers, mixing up almosthomogenously, though uniform with them.

Therefore, after its dosing through several methods previouslymentioned, the gel is thrown over the fibers of the pulp by gravityforce. It may be scattered or completely disseminated over the totalityof the body of the pulp being formed or, occasionally, concentrated overa more centralized area the conformation of this pulp and that isestablished also more centralized in a longitudinal perspective duringthe assembling and in the diaper already accomplished or finished. Thisway, when the cellulose pulp and the gel grains go through thecompressor roll (20), they get together and remain mixed in a disperseway, generalized and relative or partially homogenized, or even,occasionally, as it was said before, a little more concentrated in thecentral area of the formed pulp, longitudinally. The absorbing gel (16)usually stays, this way, mixed to the cellulose pulp (11) almosttotally, in length, width as well as in thickness, without a specificcontrol system and without the possibility of measuring or defining theexact spots where one wants to place them for a bigger and betterabsorption and distance from the user's body.

The machine depicted in picture 2 includes means for the allocation ofthe “tissue” papers (4), which can be called ‘de-bobbinators’ (21).These papers can only be placed over the pulp and may even come withboth conformations (under and over the cellulose pulp with gel). Thepurpose of these papers is to promote, during the production, largerfacility in the transportation of the pulp with gel in the assemblingprocess, keeping the pulp is with gel compact, avoiding the escape ofcellulose pulp fibers and gel during their transportation. After thefabrication and when in use, it has the purpose of improving the look ofthe diaper, preventing its agglutinated cellulose fibers from parting orbreaking and forming a huge agglomeration or shapeless ball under thelegs of the user when receiving liquid and, still, providing a morepleasant use of it. It also serves to facilitate the distribution of theliquids and promoting more absorption. Operationally, thesede-bobbinators (21) are placed over or under the main machine or in bothplaces and where the “tissue” paper roles are located. They may receiveliquid glue (22) (also called cold glue) with acrylic or PVA basis andeven water or hot glue sprinkled or flattened in the shape of stickingblades. This glue or sticker promotes the attachment of the “tissue”paper (4) to the cellulose pulp coverlet, promoting more steadiness orcompactness of the set. The necessary strength for the be-bobbing ofthese rolls of paper (21), as well as its feeding in the process, ismade by the main machine itself, which tracks and moves the entire set.The set is made of cellulose pulp with gel, with the addition of“tissue” paper or papers (4) occasionally sticking, is cut by a cuttingknife (23), normally rotational, in the specified and determined shapesand sizes, after which the absorbing center (2) is definitely formed.

The machine still includes another de-bobbinator (24) of plastic film(1) of polyethylene already mentioned. This plastic film constitutes theexternal part of the diapers. The roll with the plastic film (1), whichis inserted through the lower part, i.e., the de-bobbinator (24) isusually placed under the main machine. As the plastic film moves, italso receives hot glue (25) through sprinkling, blades, or continuoustraces in the places and necessary and determined amounts. To thisplastic (1), the absorbing cellulose center (2) is attached, made ofcellulose pulp (11) with gel (16) and, occasionally, with the “tissue”paper (4).

On the upper part of the machine, there is another de-bobbinator (26)for the “tissue non-tissue” or “non-woven” (5) film. The same way as theplastic films, the “tissue non-tissue” or “non-woven” may be impregnatedwith hot glue (27), in the desired places and quantities, throughsprinkling, through lines, or through blades, at the time of itsde-bobbing and inclusion in the forming of the diapers. As it waspreviously mentioned, this material will be in direct contact with thehuman body.

As it was previously said, the diaper may have a layer called “transferlayer” or transferring layer (6) and, for that matter, the mainequipment includes a de-bobbinator (28) for that layer, including thegluing phase (29), being this layer also a tissue non-tissue and itspositioning is made prior to the external tissue non-tissue layer (5)and placed under it. This film, as it is de-bobbinated may receive thehot glue before it is inserted in the body or structure of the diaper.This film usually has its width smaller or the same size as the width ofthe cellulose pulp coverlet (2). Its moving is also made by the tractionor power exerted by the main machine.

The allocation of the other components for the production of the fecalbarrier, the plastic tape and frontal sticker (or “frontal tape”), theside sticking tapes, the elastic bands and other occasional componentshas no relevance to the details of the present improvement and,therefore, are not herein specified.

According to pictures 3, 4 and 5, the present improvement us applied ona center (2) formed by cellulose flakes (11) adequately compactedforming a coverlet that, in its turn, presents the upper and lower partswith one more capping (4-6) or still, with no capping at all, thoughcharacterized for the fact that the coverlet initially presents aplurality of absorbing gel grains (16) concentrated on distinct points(30) and strategically distributed throughout the so called flakecoverlet (11), where each points keeps a certain distance prom theadjacent points, just as each point concentrates a certain number ofgrains, such quantity being disposed in the medium part of the thickness(E) of the flake layer (11), where each absorbing gel point (16) iscompacted at least on the upper side of the center (2), forming a cavity(31).

Another characteristic of this improvement, as shown in pictures 4 and5, is the fact that the capping (4), upper and lower, present theirinternal surfaces with a thin layer of absorbing gel grains (16), whichare previously applied onto such internal surfaces using an adheringcomponent or any glue, in a way for them to be both on the upper andlower surfaces of the flake coverlet (11).

Therefore, what is being initially claimed is a center (2) with a betterdistribution and allocation of the absorbing gel grains over thecellulose de-fibered pulp or flakes so as to have larger and betterresults in the absorption of liquids and maintenance of the “dryness” inthe diapers, besides other advantages.

To obtain the improved center described above, it is necessary for themachine exemplified in picture 2 to be complemented with some specificmechanical devices so that the complementary phases can be accomplishedand, to do so, pictures 6 and 7 show some mechanical complementsspecially introduced for the distribution of the absorbing gel (16) tobe made over the center (2) which will become the core of the diaper,i.e., the agglomerating unit (13) is modified so that its tray (14) canpresent its lower part equipped with multiple exits represented by achain of vertical dispenser spouts (32) strategically positioned in atransversal way, each having a lower valve or regulating device (33) andrespective trigger (34) turned back and facing a compressor roll (35)placed at the end of the cellulose flake coverlet forming chamber (11)and before or after their exit from the agglomerating piece (13) orstill, out of it, just as the external diameter of the compressor roll(35) distributes the plurality of compacting protuberances (36), whichoccupy cooperating positions so that, initially, they may start thetriggers (34) of the regulators (33) so that the predetermined doses ofgel grains (16) may be dispensed over the flake coverlet (11), formingthe concentrated points (30) that, in turn, logically on in tune, eachpoint (30) is compacted (31) by the same protuberances (36), in a waythat, before the dispenser spouts (32) and after the compressor roll(36), layers with the same number of route tracers (37) and routeclosers (38) are displayed, being those placed before the unloading ofthe gel grains are cooperating to form furrows or tracks that flow underthe regulators (32) and, with that, the upper cellulose pulp layer isopened to guarantee and make sure that the absorbing gel grains (16) beplaced in the interior part of the flake coverlet, while the second setof route closers (38) do exactly the opposite, i.e., close the so calledtrack, covering each compaction (31) so that the absorbing gel grains(16) may be encapsulated.

One can make the specified drawing or design of the gel points (30) inthe body or structure of the center (2) of the diaper as desired,through the results that are meant to be obtained such as, for example,illustrative and hypothetic, picture 3 shows that in the first 20% partof the longitudinal length of the diaper coverlet, and that when usingit placing on the belly and near the navel of the user where the urinepenetration is almost non-existent, a small number of central gel pointsmay be used, starting from the beginning of the diaper coverlet and,after that, this number may gradually or drastically increase in therest of the length of the center (2), but these and other details do notalter the present improvement.

The same situation takes place with the back part of the center (2),i.e., in the last 20% of its length in the back, for there as well thepresence of humidity is very reduced. Note that the specificationsconcerning the determination of the amount of absorbing gel and theplaces where it will be placed may present a number of configurations.The central part of the absorbing center is where the flux of liquids isconcentrated so it is also where there should be a higher incidence ofthe absorbing gel (16). This way and also hypothetically and forillustrative and figurative effects, it could be specified that for anoccasional width of absorbing coverlet of 90 mm, four gel points, with adistance of 20 mm between each of them and leaving 5 mm in each of thelateral borders without gel. These gel-applied points could be repeated,also at a distance of 20 mm between each of them and along the total 60%of the absorbing coverlet (except from the 20% of each of the edges ofthe absorbing coverlet—from its beginning and from its end alreadymentioned).

Hypothetically, for clarification purposes, in an illustrative orfigurative sense, it could be exemplified that each of these absorbinggel points (30) could be 5 mm wide and weigh approximately 0.0375 gr.each.

A cause and also a consequence of placing protuberances (36) over thecompressor roll is that they will produce the deepening (31) or thecompression of the gel grains (16) inside the pulp (11). This procedureis fundamental, for the gel will penetrate in the pulp, remaining wellattached there and facilitating the absorption of the liquids. Anotherimportant reason for this compression is that the gel will remainrelatively pressed inside the pulp (11), preventing it from falling orcoming out of the pulp, which is where it should be effectively fixed.By doing so, unnecessary waste is avoided, such as its falling over themachine or on the ground, generating unpleasant dirt; damaging thesharpening of the cutting knives ahead (and prolonging its running timeand avoiding the need to stop for sharpening) or still, falling insideshafts or other mechanisms; falling over the glue and damage the gluingprocess and causing leakage of the liquids placed there, and still andmainly not performing its real function for which it was placed there,which is to absorb liquids. When the absorbing gel comes out of thepulp, reality is faked, i.e., it is as if a certain specified amount ofgel having been placed to produce certain absorption result, when, infact, a smaller amount has been applied.

As it was already mentioned, the center of the diaper may have a leaf of“tissue” paper (4) over the cellulose paper (4) to strengthen it andprovide a more resistant and absorbing structure. It may also have,simultaneously or isolated, a transferring layer of tissue non-tissue(6) (“transfer layer”) for liquids and which is the connection of theexternal part of the diaper which gets in touch with the human body withits inner part or hub and where liquids should be concentrated orretained. Many companies do not use the tissue non-tissue materials forthe transfer layer nor even the “tissue” paper (4), due to the highprices of those, lack of technology marketing or technological choice,besides other implications.

Nowadays, these materials, the “tissue” paper (4) as well as the tissuenon-tissue (6) only remain attached to the lower layers, i.e., theabsorbing coverlet, by simple overlapping or through use of glue or evenwater.

Considering that it is of fundamental importance that the liquidsdispensed be absorbed as quickly as possible by the previously mentionedabsorbing materials in the diapers, not only to prevent them fromleaking out of them, but also and mainly to avoid or reduce as much aspossible their contact with the human body, the present improvementincludes other betterments, obviously to increase even more theefficiency at absorbing liquids in the diapers, being such bettermentsshown in details in picture 8, where the application of absorbing gelgrains (16) over the hot glue recently applied (22) on the tissuenon-tissue or “tissue” paper (4) transferring layer can be noticed. Thisapplied gel adheres to the glue on the pre-selected and determineddesired places and quantities, and that will absorb the liquids betterand faster. This place is normally located in the central longitudinalareas of the diaper, with small differences in spot, due to sexualvariation of the users. Notice that the absorbing gel (16) remains withits grains exclusively facing the interior part of the diaper and nearthe areas of more intense absorption. This exclusive method promotes afaster initial absorption of the liquids disposed there. Thisimprovement can be defined as first and main absorption.

As a consequent or complementary function of this method, the “tissue”paper (4), of lower cost and rather frail consistency, with thereception of the hot-melt “permanent-sticking” sticker throughsprinkling, lines or blades, may behave in a much stronger and resistantway, improving its performance in the safety and final quality of theabsorption and resistance of the diaper. If the tissue non-tissue isused, the diaper may also be stronger, thicker, and will show a betterperformance in its function of embodying and absorbing liquids quickly.In a preferred construction, it is necessary for the application of theabsorbing gel grains (16) over the corresponding layer (4) surface thata guide-roll (39) be used placed between the paper roll (21) and thehorizontal part of the machine so that the layer (4) may form a “V”angle and, in the anterior area of such guide-roll, a glue applier (22)is placed while after the guide-roll an absorbing gel grains (16)unloading mouthpiece (40), whose excess thrown over the hot glue iscollected a little bit under that by another similar mouthpiece (41)with a lower recipient (42) connected or not to an aspiration system, sothat the grains may return (43) from the last one to be used again bythe mouthpiece (40).

As a further complement of the purpose of better performance of thediapers, in the sense of larger, better and faster absorption, theimprovement plans, yet as a complement, as illustrated in picture 9, theplacing of gel in the deeper layers and in the inside of the diapercoverlets, i.e., on the “tissue” paper (4) next and anterior to theexternal construction and protection plastic (1). It composes the lowerlayer of the gel and cellulose pulp absorbing coverlet, on the one side,and the external plastic on the other, as described before.

The same way as previously mentioned, also using some complementaryequipment like the one in picture 8, absorbing gel grains (16) shall beapplied and glued over the internal and lower “tissue” paper (4) (pic.9), which gets in touch, on one side, with the cellulose pulp (11) and,on the other side, with the external plastic (1) of the diaper, aportion of “permanent-sticking” hot glue (22) on the desired place andamount, by means of sprinkling, blades, lines, or other means. On theimmediate sequence, absorbing gel grains (16) are applied over this glue(22), remaining attached to its upper surface the grains with which itmay get in touch. The excess shall be removed by a receptacle (41) withsuction system or not and returned to the lower gel tank (42) and latertransported (43) to the mouthpiece (40) for a new use.

The process of making the absorbing center described above is made ofthe following steps:

a) preparation of the cellulose pulp (10) in rolls or leaves, preferablywith the preparation in the shape of bobbin, where the cellulose pulppresents longer or shorter fibers, with different levels of humidity,besides other irrelevant factors;

b) automatic feeding of the cellulose pulp (10) in a mill or de-fiberer(9), which can be made of a disentangling piece or hammer or othermethods, which turn the cellulose pulp (10) into small texture orfibers, herein, called flakes (11);

c) introduction of the flakes (11) and absorbing gel grains (16) in theinterior of an agglomerating or agglutinating piece (13);

e) transformation of the flakes (11) in a continuous coverlet (M) on theinside of the agglomerating piece (13) and, for that purpose, suchflakes (11) are aspired by a vacuum system (17) against a conveyor belt(18) over which such continuous coverlet is formed (M) which, in itsturn, is softly compacted and moves continuously forward;

f) allocation of the capping or “tissue” paper (4) through the use ofde-bobinnators (21) and glue (22), so that these papers can be placedonly over the pulp, or be placed under the pulp, or may still have bothsimultaneous conformation over and under the cellulose pulp with gel;

g) the coverlet (M) made of cellulose pulp with gel, added with “tissue”paper or papers (4), occasionally sticky, is cut or segmented by acutting knife (23), usually rotational, in the determined and specifiedshapes, after which the absorbing center (2) is effectively formed;

h) disposing the centers (2) over a plastic film (1) made ofpolyethylene, which constitutes the external part of the diapers, justas such plastic film (1) is inserted from below, i.e., the de-bobbinator(24) is usually positioned under the main machine, where the plasticfilm (1) moves and receives the hot glue (25), by means of sprinkling,blades or continuous traces, in the determined and necessary places andamounts and, therefore, to such plastic film (1) the absorbing cellulosecenter (2) is attached made of cellulose pulp (11) with gel (16) andoccasionally “tissue” paper (4);

i) application of a tissue non-tissue or non-woven upper layer (5)through a de-bobbinator (26), using hot glue (27) as well, on thedesired places and quantities, by means of sprinkling, lines or blades,when making its de-bobbing and insertion in the assembling of thediapers;

j) as an option, a layer called “transfer layer” or transferring layer(6) is included, which is applied through a de-bobbinator (28) and itsrespective gluing (29), being this layer also a tissue non-tissue andits positioning being made anterior to the external tissue non-tissuelayer (5) and placed under it;

k) allocation of the other components for the making of the diaper:fecal-barrier, frontal sticking plastic tape (“frontal tape”) and thelateral sticking tapes, the elastic tapes and other occasionalcomponents that vary according to the kind of diaper.

The steps listed above are rather common in many processes used in themaking of diapers and respective absorbing center, but the presentprocess is characterized by the fact that it involves the followingcomplementary steps between step (e) and step (f):

e1) creation of longitudinal furrows in the upper part of the coverlet(M), such furrows being placed in parallel among each other and startingbefore the tray (16), where they are made by route tracers (37);

e2) disposing a plurality of absorbing gel grains (16) concentrated indistinct points (30) and strategically distributed throughout eachlongitudinal furrow of such coverlet (M), where each point remains at acertain distance from the adjacent points, just as each pointconcentrates a certain number of grains, being such number disposed inthe medium part of the thickness (E) of the coverlet (M);

e3) compacting of each point (30) of absorbing gel (16), such compactingbeing made at least on the upper side of the coverlet (M) forming acavity (31):

e4) closing of the furrows with route closers (38) capping eachcompacting (31) so that the absorbing gel grains (16) may beencapsulated;

f1) application of absorbing gel grains (16) over the recently appliedhot glue (22) on the upper transfer layer of the tissue non-tissue or onthe “tissue” paper (4), such gel applied there attaching to the glue,only on the pre-selected and determined desired places and quantities,which shall better and faster absorb the liquids, just as this place isusually located on the central longitudinal areas of the diaper withsmall differences in place, due to sexual variation of the users, but,in any case, the absorbing gel (16) remains with its grains exclusivelyturned to the inside of the diaper and near the areas of largerabsorption;

f2) putting gel on the deeper layers and on the inside of the coverletsof the diapers, i.e., on the “tissue” paper (4) on the lower andanterior side to the external construction and protection plastic (1).

Steps (e1) to (e4) may take place inside or outside the agglutinatingpiece (13).

As it can be noticed, after all that has been exposed and illustrated,the present improvement includes sensitive changes to the absorbingcenter (2) of the diaper, as well as equivalent changes in its equipmentand manufacturing process, aiming with this at obtaining the followingcharacteristics and advantages:

a) placing of the absorbing gel grains in smaller amounts inside thediapers, but in better positions and in a different way from the onethat is presently done;

b) obtaining a better and faster absorbing diaper, with absorbing gelgrains put only in the places where it is most necessary;

c) less contact between the user and the wet parts of the diaper, be itfor children or for adults;

c) preventing the absorbing gel grains from escaping from the interiorof the center of the diaper and, therefore, preventing such grains fromgetting in touch with the skin of the user;

d) avoiding leakage of liquids;

e) avoiding loss or uselessness of the absorbing gel grains, for theyare located in parts of the diaper where the humidity doesn't reach orneeds to reach;

f) reducing the need of maintenance, stops, and costs of the diapermaking equipment, for it prevents the gel from damaging the cuttingknives by wearing them out, or from getting to shafts and reducing theirrunning time, from dirtying these or making them need more cleaning andother maintenance measures, as also from blocking or damaging the vacuumconveyor belt and pulp former.

1. Improvement in absorbing center for disposable diapers, suchimprovement can be used in any kind of absorbing center (2), normallymade of cellulose flake (11) properly compacted, forming a coverletthat, in its turn, presents an upper and a lower part with one or morecapping (4-6) or still, with no internal capping; wherein the formedcoverlet initially presents a plurality of absorbing gel grains (16)concentrated on distinct points (30) and strategically distributedthroughout such flake coverlet (11), where each point keeps a certaindistance from the adjacent points, just as each point concentrates acertain number of grains, such number disposed in the medium part of thethickness (E) of the cellulose flake layer (11), where each absorbinggel point (16) is compacted at least on the upper side of the center(2), forming a cavity (31).
 2. Improvement in absorbing center fordisposable diapers, according to claim 1, wherein when the absorbingcenter (2) includes capping (4-6), presents the internal surfaces ofsuch capping with a thing layer of absorbing gel grains (16), which arepreviously applied onto such internal surfaces using a stickingcomponent or any glue, so that the grains (16) may remain against theupper and lower surfaces of the flake coverlet (11).
 3. Improvement inabsorbing center for disposable diapers, according to claim 1, whereinthe capping (4) with absorbing gel grains (16) is supposed to be placedon the upper and lower part of the coverlet and between the flakecoverlet (11) and the plastic film (1).
 4. Improvement in absorbingcenter for disposable diapers, according to claim 1, wherein the capping(4) with absorbing gel grains (16) is supposed to be placed on the upperpart and between the cellulose flake coverlet (11) and the tissuenon-tissue or “non-woven” (5).
 5. Process for the making of theabsorbing center described in claim 1, composed of the following steps:a) preparation of the cellulose pulp (10) in rolls or leaves, preferablywith the preparation in the shape of bobbin, where the cellulose pulppresents longer or shorter fibers, with different levels of humidity,besides other irrelevant factors; b) automatic feeding of the cellulosepulp (10) in a mill or defiberer (9), which can be made of adisentangling piece or hammer or other methods, which turn the cellulosepulp (10) into small texture or fibers, herein called flakes (11); c)introduction of the flakes (11) and absorbing gel grains (16) in theinterior of an agglomerating or agglutinating piece (13); e)transformation of the flakes (11) in a continuous coverlet (M) on theinside of the agglomerating piece (13) and, for that purpose, suchflakes (11) are aspired by a vacuum system (17) against a conveyor belt(18) over which such continuous coverlet is formed (M) which, in itsturn, is softly compacted and moves continuously forward; f) allocationof the capping or “tissue” paper (4) through the use of de-bobbinators(21) and glue (22), so that these papers can be placed only over thepulp, or be placed under the pulp, or may still have both simultaneousconformation over and under the cellulose pulp with gel; g) the coverlet(M) made of cellulose pulp with gel, added with “tissue” paper or papers(4), occasionally sticky, is cut or segmented by a cutting knife (23),usually rotational, in the determined and specified shapes, after whichthe absorbing center (2) is effectively formed; h) disposing the centers(2) over a plastic film (1) made of polyethylene, which constitutes theexternal part of the diapers, just as such plastic film (1) is insertedfrom below, i.e., the de-bobbinator (24) is usually positioned under themain machine, where the plastic film (1) moves and receives the hot glue(25), by means of sprinkling, blades or continuous traces, in thedetermined and necessary places and amounts and, therefore, to suchplastic film (1) the absorbing cellulose center (2) is attached made ofcellulose pulp (11) with gel (16) and occasionally “tissue” paper (4);i) application of a tissue non-tissue or non-woven upper layer (5)through a de-bobbinator (26), using hot glue (27) as well, on thedesired places and quantities, by means of sprinkling, lines or blades,when making its de-bobbing and insertion in the assembling of thediapers; j) as an option, a layer called “transfer layer” ortransferring layer (6) is included, which is applied through ade-bobbinator (28) and its respective gluing (29), being this layer alsoa tissue non-tissue and its positioning being made anterior to theexternal tissue non-tissue layer (5) and placed under it; k) allocationof the other components for the making of the diaper: fecal-barrier,frontal sticking plastic tape (“frontal tape”) and the lateral stickingtapes, the elastic tapes and other occasional components that varyaccording to the kind of diaper. wherein it involves the followingcomplementary steps between step (e) and step (f): e1) creation oflongitudinal furrows in the upper part of the coverlet (M), such furrowsbeing placed in parallel among each other and starting before the tray(16), where they are made by route tracers (37); e2) disposing aplurality of absorbing gel grains (16) concentrated in distinct points(30) and strategically distributed throughout each longitudinal furrowof such coverlet (M), where each point remains at a certain distancefrom the adjacent points, just as each point concentrates a certainnumber of grains, being such number disposed in the medium part of thethickness (E) of the coverlet (M); e3) compacting of each point (30) ofabsorbing gel (16), such compacting being made at least on the upperside of the coverlet (M) forming a cavity (31); e4) closing of thefurrows with route closers (38) capping each compacting (31) so that theabsorbing gel grains (16) may be encapsulated; f1) application ofabsorbing gel grains (16) over the recently applied hot glue (22) on theupper transfer layer of the tissue non-tissue or on the “tissue” paper(4), such gel applied there attaching to the glue, only on thepre-selected and determined desired places and quantities, which shallbetter and faster absorb the liquids, just as this place is usuallylocated on the central longitudinal areas of the diaper with smalldifferences in place, due to sexual variation of the users, but, in anycase, the absorbing gel (16) remains with its grains exclusively turnedto the inside of the diaper and near the areas of larger absorption; f2)putting gel on the deeper layers and on the inside of the coverlets ofthe diapers, i.e., on the “tissue” paper (4) on the lower and anteriorside to the external construction and protection plastic (1).
 6. Processfor the making of the absorbing center, according to claim 5, whereinsteps (e1) through (e4) may take place inside or outside theagglutinating piece (13).
 7. Machine for the making of the absorbingcenter described in claim 1 and to make the process described in claim5, composed of a mill or a de-fiberer (9), which can be made of adisentangling piece or hammer or other methods, which turn the cellulosepulp (10), prepared in rolls or leaves, into small texture particles orfibers, herein, called flakes (11); just as the de-fiberer (9) isconnected through a feeding duct system (12), to another set calledagglomerating or agglutinating piece (13) which, in its turn, is alsoconnected to an upper tray (14) with a lower vacuum chamber (17) which,along with a conveyor belt (18), form the coverlet (M), which slides topass through other parts of the machine, which includes upper and lowerde-bobbinators (21) with their respective glue disposers (22) for theplacing of the “tissue” papers (4), upper and lower, after which suchcoverlet is cut by a cutting knife (23), usually rotational, indetermined and specified shapes and sizes, after which the absorbingcenter (2) is effectively formed, which, in its turn, through otherbobbins (24-26-28), receives other blade materials layers (1-5-6), usingother glue disposers (25-27-29); wherein the tray (14) presents itslower part equipped with multiple exits represented by a chain ofvertical dispenser spouts (32), strategically placed in a transversalway, each having a lower valve or regulating device (33) and respectivetrigger (34) turned back and facing a compressor roll (35) placed at theend of the cellulose flake coverlet forming chamber (11) and before orafter their exit from the agglomerating piece (13) or still, out of it,just as the external diameter of the compressor roll (35) distributesthe plurality of compacting protuberances (36), which occupy cooperatingpositions so that, initially, they may start the triggers (34) of theregulators (33) so that the predetermined doses of gel grains (16) maybe dispensed over the flake coverlet (11), forming the concentratedpoints (30), that, in turn, logically on in tune, each point (30) iscompacted (31) by the same protuberances (36), in a way that, before thedispenser spouts (32) and after the compressor roll (36), layers withthe same number of route tracers (37) and route closers (38) aredisplayed, being those placed before the unloading of the gel grains arecooperating to form furrows or tracks that flow under the regulators(32) and, with that, the upper cellulose pulp layer is opened toguarantee and make sure that the absorbing gel grains (16) be placed inthe interior part of the flake coverlet, while the second set of routeclosers (38) do exactly the opposite, i.e., close the so called track,covering each compaction (31) so that the absorbing gel grains (16) maybe encapsulated.
 8. Machine for the making of the absorbing center,according to claim 7, wherein the mouthpiece (41) is conjugated with asaspiring and transporting system by flow of air combined with thestorage (42) and with an absorbing gel grains (16) returning conductor(43) to the mouthpiece (40).